Police in South Africa say they have recovered a large quantity of stolen platinum concentrate.

Officials in Potchefstroom say the North West police successfully retrieved material worth in excess of R1.6 million.

Spokesperson, superintendent Pieter du Plessis, told News24 that three people had been arrested for illegal possession of the platinum.

The three were found in possession of nearly two tonnes of platinum concentrate, whilst a further ten suspects in the raid were found with gold concentrate.

The news follows a series of major platinum robberies last year, including the seizure of 56mt of converter matte from Zimbabwe Platinum Mines.

The firm has since acknowledged that it will probably have to write off $2 million from its exports sales sheet following the theft.

The platinum went missing when being taken to Impala Platinum's refinery facilities at Rustenburg.